SCUNTHORPE United failed to score in successive games for the first time this season as they had to be content with a fourth draw on the trot in the North East.

The Iron, for whom goalkeeper Sam Slocombe was again in impressive form, struggled to click as an attacking unit and were unable to carve out much other than half chances.

They were better after half-time, having had to contend with some difficult conditions during the first half, but still produced nothing to suggest they were deserving of anything more than a point against a side in the bottom half of the table.

Scunthorpe, who were unchanged from the side that clung on to secure a similar stalemate against Fleetwood Town on Monday night, were playing into a strong, gusty wind for the opening 45 minutes.

It made life difficult for the Iron, particularly when it came to getting the ball clear, but they did not help themselves to get into the game with some sloppy play at the back.

Pools were first to threaten when a United attack broke down in the 11th minute. The home side quickly charged upfield and Luke Williams, on loan from Middlesbrough, raced forward 25 yards before having the ball taken off his toes by David Mirfin as he tried to go around the outside of the Iron defender.

Williams, quick with both feet and mind, was the home side’s standout player and when he picked up possession in the visiting penalty area three minutes after his earlier chance, he curled in a lovely shot which looked destined for the top corner before Sam Slocombe pushed it around the post with his fingertips.

With Sam Winnall and Paul Hayes unable to enjoy much success as a partnership, openings at the other end were few and far between.

Gary McSheffrey came agonisingly close to finding the net, cutting in from the left to whip in a shot which smacked against the bar before bouncing clear.

The better chances though continued to be forged by Pools and when the ball bounced kindly off Andy Monkhouse as the veteran winger entered the box, Slocombe had to come to his side’s rescue to once again to beat away his low drive.

Defending in numbers, the Iron had plenty of cover and bodies to deal with some dangerous periods of possession by the home side. But too often they were not able to nick the ball away from a blue and white shirt and, as a result, remained under pressure.

Sean McAllister redeemed himself for a trip on Luke James five yards outside of the penalty area when he blocked away Williams’ free-kick at goal with his head from on the end of the Scunthorpe wall.

Still though the Iron were not able to make any headway as an attacking unit, with set pieces – including a swirling corner from McSheffrey which caused brief panic in the Pools penalty area – appearing to be their best hope of a goal.

In first-half stoppage time there was another scare for Scunthorpe, but Winnall headed the ball off the line, with Slocombe scrambling, after Monkhouse had hooked goalwards from a corner.

Playing with the wind, rather than against it, after the break, the Iron saw much more ball in the final third of the pitch. But their struggles at creating chances continued.

A clever through ball from McSheffrey found Winnall, but United’s top scorer elected to shoot from range rather than look for the run of David Syers and his effort flew into the stand.

Not long after, the former Coventry City winger had a go at goal himself, though full-back Neil Austin bravely threw himself at the ball to get in front of a powerful, first-time drive.

The visitors changed personnel and their system in the 65th minute, when Paddy Madden came on for Terry Hawkridge.

The Irishman partnered Winnall in a front two for the first time since arriving from Yeovil Town three weeks earlier and manager Russ Wilcox switched to a midfield diamond, in which Hayes was at the tip.

Pools worked Slocombe again when lively forward Jack Barmby, the son of former Hull City manager Nick, nicked the ball inside Marcus Williams and fired towards the near post.

The Iron full-back though quickly made amends for being turned too easily, scampering down the left flank and flashing in a cross at a difficult height that Madden met, but was unable to keep down.

Three changes quickly followed, two by Pools, and Hakeeb Adelakun replacing Hayes for United, and the home substitutes almost immediately combined in the 83rd minute.

Jack Compton, on for Monkhouse, launched an inviting ball into the middle which was misjudged by well-travelled striker Marlon Harewood, whose introduction came at the expense of Barmby. James also had the chance to finish, at the back post, but stabbed his shot wide.

Harewood also flashed a powerful, first-time shot wide from outside the penalty as the home side finished strongly, without being able to snatch a winner.

Highlights video courtesy of Scunthorpe United's official YouTube channel. For more Iron videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/ScunthorpeUnitedFC. Full extended highlights, commentaries and interviews can be accessed on The Iron Player.

7 comments

I do hope that Russ reads these pages and the forums. The natives are getting restless and unless we get the formation that has proven to be successful instead of this need to accommodate new signings then disaster is on the horizon. Ribs back, Colins off and swap Williams and McSheffrey about as much as you like.

Why is he accommodating Williams at Left Back - thats were it is going wrong - if and Nolan were playing alright together, why change. If he wants "Quality" then drop Williams and leave the back as was.

Another boring 0-0 draw against a team that has won just two games during their past 14 matches, not only another draw, but we were outplayed for much of the game, and lucky to come away with a point.
Supporters are all wanderng and rightfully commenting on why Rebeiro has not been playing in either of our past two matches, and Hayes is not doing enough to be chosen every game, please do us all a favour Russ and get back to the defence that were doing so well. Once more we gave the ball away too easily and as usual played too deep, I for one will be glad for this unbeaten run of ours to come to an end, because all we are doing is playing not to get beaten and drawing every match because everyone is in defence, has LAWS come back ?????????????????????????
We need supporters back at GP, but this type of playing will not achieve this, and it wants sorting quickly before a few of the teams around us start putting runs together, THIS WILL HAPPEN !!! We have a brilliant away fan base, with many hundreds of us going all over the country following the team, but I am hearing many fans moaning at team selections and wandering when we are going back to the style that was working so well a few weeks ago, AWAY draws are ok, but only if you are winning HOME matches.

lawsy had his buddies that had to play, seems since we signed the new guys everything has gone pear shaped. hayes was no problem slotting into the team as noo other positions changed,but the problem was madden and mcsheffrey, starting to look like they were signed on the promise of first team football regardless of form. in doing this the the whole formation has had to be jiggled. go back to the back line we had, bring williams back to the wing. hayes can do burtons job whilst out, madden and mcsheffrey on the bench to replace tired legs if needed. carry on as you are and this will have been unlucky 13 for the unbeaten run

To tally agree miffed to much tinkering with the team and formation,Russ needs to get ribiero back in the team at fullback and plays williams as before,and the main problem seems to be no link up play from midfield to attack.Russ our chairman has given you the job because of the attacking winning football we where playing a month ago,so what as changed our so called best forward line in the league is firing blanks and look pants.There is still time to sort it russ as auto promotion is there for the taking but we will not achieve this with bore draws,that is a lawsy trait something we dont need to go back to.Time for the players to step up to the mark against chesterfield because draws will not earn promotion hard work and finding the net again will."UP THE IRON"!!!

Is Laws back? - just spoke to my lad who was there and he say we were pants. No Burton, no Riberio, Williams fullback, McSheffrey adding nothing and then bloody Collins. Get it back to the winning ways Russ. Fine, we haven't lost under you but our draws are feeling like losses. I hope bad things come in threes and we will turn over the leaders next week BUT you have to put things right with your tinkering.